On May 10, 2012, Premier Wen Jiabao met with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos in Ziguangge, Zhongnanhai.

In recent years, China and Colombia have maintained close exchanges with fruitful cooperation in various fields, Wen said. China supports Colombia's efforts for comprehensive peace and economic growth, and attaches importance to Colombia's influence in Latin America. China is willing to develop all-round friendly and cooperative relations with Colombia.

The two countries' economies are highly complementary, he said. China and Colombia should start negotiations on the free trade agreement as soon as possible and strive to quickly make it a success, so as to promote bilateral trade and investment cooperation, said Premier Wen. Wen said the Chinese government will encourage companies to join in infrastructure construction and resources exploitation and utilization in Colombia. He also called on the two sides to expand cooperation in areas including technology, agriculture and disaster alleviation to enhance the capacity for sustainable development. China is ready to strengthen communication with regional economic cooperation organizations in Latin America on the basis of equality and reciprocity, the premier added.

Santos said China's fast growth has changed the outlook of the world and also provides new opportunities for bilateral cooperation. He said the two countries are facing great potential for economic cooperation. An early signing of the free trade agreement is in both sides' interests. Colombia will learn more from China's development and further expand its exchanges and cooperation with the Asian nation in all areas. The president vowed to increase communication and coordination with China on international and regional affairs, so as to promote all-round development of bilateral ties.

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Minister of Commerce Chen Deming and Chinese Ambassador to Colombia Wang Xiaoyuan attended the meeting.